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At the request of his friend first and his client second, the Peterborough-based music promoter and agent set about planning and putting into motion a public memorial for the late Stompin' Tom Connors.

That tribute, held Wednesday night at the Memorial Centre, could have been held anywhere in Canada, Tom's backyard during a remarkable career. But Connors wanted it here, in the city where Stompin' was first added to his name more than 45 years ago. He made that much very clear to Edwards during the weeks before his death at age 77. And so Edwards went to work. For his friend.

Calling upon the diligence and attention to detail that has been at the centre of his career arsenal for decades, Edwards turned to meeting Connors' specific requests and no doubt added a few of his own touches, finalizing a program that he hoped upon hope would be tasteful and fitting. And then there were the calls from media outlets across Canada and beyond. Edwards gave an exhausting 185 interviews over four days, talking on his unique relationship with Connors and providing personal insights into what it was that made him resonate with so many Canadians.

There was no time for him to grieve. On the day following Connors' passing, he told me that in so many words. Too busy now...maybe later.

But for all the phone calls made and emails answered, the most daunting task facing Edwards was coming up with the right combination of celebration and memorializing.

Too much of the former and there's criticism that the event was too playful and, thusly, disrespectful. Too much of the latter and it's too maudlin, the celebratory aspect lost in a sea of tears and regrets. That's a thin rope to walk.

The end result? A near-perfect balance of respect and informality. A fitting tribute, peppered with outstanding musical performances and seasoned with insightful words from those who called Connors a friend and an inspiration, in most cases both. Laughter abounded as did a fair amount of foot stomping.

Just before the memorial got underway, I did a pre-arranged live interview with CBC Radio. I was asked my thoughts and answered several questions, one being why? Why Peterborough for this tribute to a life so well lived?

Well, besides the obvious -- Connors getting his nickname here at the old King George and his long relationship with Edwards -- I answered that query with a question of my own -- "Where else?"

This is Peterborough. A place where a man in a cowboy hat with a guitar and a song in his heart has always had a home and has rarely, if ever, been out of place.

On Wednesday night, the Memorial Centre crowd was what one would expect -- a microcosm of Canadians that like a good song but love a true patriot.

Connors knew that and that's why, loved and respected like few others, he left the stage for the final time here.